Article controlled duster



2 Shegts-Sheet 1 E. w. PLAMBECK ARTICLE coNTRoLL-ED DUsTER Filed Deo. 19, 1936 Jan. 3, 1939.

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1 ARTICLE CONTROLLED DUSTER Filed Dec. 19, 193e .2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR m M. UWMMTORNEY Patented Jan. 3, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT ol-Flca mesne assignments, to Baker Perkins Company, Inc., Saginaw, Mich., a corporation of New York Application December 19, 1936, Serial No. 116,731

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a control apparatus for machines which performs a certain operation upon an article fed continuously through the machine, and wherein, the operation performed is controlled by the article.

- As a specific illustrative embodiment of this invention, the molding head of a dough molding machine may be considered wherein lumps of dough are fed continuously, in spaced relation, through, a series of flattening rolls which flatten the lumps of dough into a sheet and then coils the sheet into a molded loaf after which the coiled loaf is sealed by moving pressure means such as a revolving drum and pressure board or a moving belt and stationary table, all of which are well known in the baking art.

During the sheeting and coiling operation, the dough pieces are dusted with flour to prevent them from sticking to the molding rolls and parts which completely form the loaf.

In prior machines of this type, the ilour duster is operated from some moving part of the machine so that the flour is dusted continuously upon the rolls and upon the pieces of dough. It quite often happens that one or more pieces of dough are missing from the line or conveyor which feeds the dough pieces to the molder and, consequently, the dusting ilour which would ordinarily be taken up by the missing dough pieces, is deposited in the molder. When the next succeeding lump of dough enters the molder, this excess iiour is collected and rolled and pressed into the dough loaf so that when the baked loaf of bread is sliced, hard undesirable lumps are found, and the lines derining the coil of the dough piece are plainly discernible.

It is an object of my present invention to overcome these difiiculties by providing a iiour duster whose operation is controlled by the piece of dough as it enters the machine.

Machines are known in which certain operations are performed on an article and the articles control the operation performed, but in such devices the articles are fed into the machine in a continuous stream without a gap between them. In bakeries, however, it is necessary to keep the dough pieces separated a considerable distance from each other in order that they will not touch and adhere or join one another to form a double loaf.

If the principles of known article controlled operations were applied to dough molding machines, the constant stopping and starting of the flour sifter, due to the space between successive dough pieces, would soon cause excessive wear and breakage. Itis, therefore, a further object of my invention to provide a device of the class described wherein dough pieces are fed continuously, in spaced relation, past a flour duster and where the our duster will operate continuously so long as this predetermined spaced relation exists, but will stop the our duster in the event the space between the dough pieces is increased beyond the predetermined distance. In other words, the flour dusters will stop whenever one or more dough pieces are missing.

Furthermore, in-prior machines, whenever there was a stoppage of the machines, operating upon the dough, which preceeded the molding operation, the flour duster continued to run until the operator noticed that no dough pieces were passing through the molder, and unless the iiour duster was manually disconnected vfrom its operating mechanism, the flour continued to run into the molding machine to fill up the molding channels, or spill upon the floor. If the molding channel was lled with flour, this generally had to be cleaned out before any dough pieces could pass through the sealing device.

It is therefore, a still further object of my invention to provide a machine in which the flour duster Will be automatically disconnected 'from its operating parts as soon as a break, which is longer than the predetermined spacing, occurs, and which will again be automatically put into operation as soon as the dough pieces are again fed into the molding machine, thus eliminating the constant attention of the operator.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a machine which is positive in operation which will assure the correct amount of dusting flour for each dough piece thereby saving dusting flour and which is simple in construction.

The objects of my invention are carried out by means of a trip mechanism, actuated by the dough pieces, which will automatically connect the flour dusting means to its operating mechanism and remain connected for a predetermined length of time after the dough piece has passed from the trip mechanism and so long as the dough pieces are traveling through the machine in predetermined spaced relation but which will permit the flour duster to become disconnected from its operating mechanism if the space becomes greater than that which has been established by predetermination.

With these and certain other objects in view which will appear later in the speciication,` my invention comprises the devices described and claimed and the equivalents thereof.

Referring now to the drawings- Figure l is a side elevational view of the molding head of a. dough molding machine broken away in parts to show an illustrative embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a longitudinal lsection taken along the line 2-2 of Figure i. Figure 3 is a rear view broken away in parts showingI an 3 arranged to direct a shower of flour upon the dough pieces as they pass through the molding rolls, and also upon the rolls themselves. The agitator 4 of the flour duster 3 is operated by the usual crank 5 connected by a bar 5 to an eccentric 1 upon an eccentric shaft 8. Fixed to the eccentric shaft l is a pinion 5 meshing with'a drive gear I0 loosely mounted on an extension II of one of the molding roll shafts 2 which, being constantly driven, provides the motive power for the duster.` Secured to the face of this drive gear I0 and rotatable therewith, is the male-half I2 of a clutch member, the female or driving half I3 being slidingly keyed to the molding roll shaft extension and continuously rotated therewith. 'I'he female half I3 of this clutch member has the usualv non-rotatable shifting yoke I4 loosely fitted in an annular recess in the clutch so that the clutch will rotate freely in the yoke. The yoke I4 is connected by shifting links I5 secured to a clutch rock shaft I5 having attached at one end, thereof, a clutch crank I1, so that when the clutch crank I1 is osciilated, the clutch members are caused to engage and disengage with each other.

'Ihe clutch crank I1 is pivotally connected, as at I5, to one end of a pull rod I9 whose opposite end 25 passes midway through a pull link 2| and is connected thereto by a resilient means such as a spring 22 so as to avoid clashing of the clutch members when they move into engagement.

Secured to the back-face of the pull rod I5 is an inverted L shaped member 23 (Fig. 2) the shorter portion 24 being weldedto the pull rod I9 and the end 24 of the longer portion passing through a guide member 25 secured in the machine frame I. Between the guide member 25 and a collar 26 fastened on the long portion of the L shaped member 23, is a power spring 21 adapted to exert an upward movement to the pull rod I5 and engage the clutch members.

One end of the pull link 2| is pivoted to the machine frame,as at 25, and the opposite end 29 is connected to the core 30 of a solenoid 3| which is energized from any suitable source of electric current. When the solenoid 3| is energized, the

corev 30 is drawn downward and through the pull" link 2| and pull rod I3 disengages the clutch members I2 and I3 at the same time the power spring 21 on the inverted L shaped member 23 is compressed between the lxed collar 25 and guide member 25 so that when the Solenoid is deenergized, the power spring 21 upon expanding,

y will move the pull rod I5 and through its pivoted connection I5 Ato the clutch crank I1 oscillate lines 41a on the drawings.

the clutch rock shaft I5, and engage the clutchv members.

Inserted in the current supply line 32 is a switch 33 preferably of the mercury type. mounted on a tilting arm 34 which is secured to an oscillatable shaft 35 journaled in the frame of the molding head., One end of the tilting arm 34 is weighted with an adjustable balancing weight 35, while the other end is connected to a dash pot 31 of the usual type having, therein a piston 35 secured to a support 3,4 nxed on the frame so that the dash pot moves over the piston.

A ball check valve 45 is located in the top of the dash pot so that it may move quickly in one direction and slowly in the opposite direction.

Secured to the opposite end of the rotatable shaft 35 is a crank 4| pivotally connected to one end of a trip link 42 whose opposite end 43 is pivotally connected to a trip lever 44 secured to an oscillatable trip shaft 45 which extends across the machine adjacent a feeding opening 45' to the molding rolls.

Secured on the trip shaft 45 is a trip plate 41 which projects angularly across the feeding openin'g 45 and in the path of the on-coming dough pieces.

The operation of the machine is as follows:

As dough pieces are fed through the feed opening 45 of the molding head, they contact the trip plate 41 and depress it as shown in dotted I c The depression of the plate oscillates the trip shaft 45 and rocks the trip arm 44 causing the trip rod 42 through its connecting crank 4I to oscillate the shaft 35 and its tilting arm 34 and thus move the dash pot 31 over the piston 35. As the dash pot moves over the piston, the ball check valve 43 is moved upwardlyfrom its seat by the air compressed between the piston and top ofthe dash pot, causing the dash pot to move easily over the piston.

'I'he oscillation of the tilting arm 34 tips the mercury switch. and causes the mercury to flow to the lowermost end which breaks the electric circuit to the solenoid 3|. The solenoid now being de-energized, the pull rod I 3 is free to move upwardly by the expansion of its power spring 21 and the clutch members are engaged.

The female portion of the clutch member, being rotatable with the molding roll shaft extension 8, now being engaged with the male member I2 of the clutch which is secured to the drive gear I0, causes this gear I5 to rotate, and by its rotation, transmits motion to pinion 9 on the eccentric shaft 1 causing the connecting crank 4 to oscillate the agitator 4 of the our duster 3.

Flour is now showered upon th molding rolls and the dough piece passing theret ough.

'I'he dough piece now having passed oi! of the trip plate 41 its return to the initial position, normally caused by the balancing weight 35, is retarded by the dash pot 31. As the dash pot moves upwardly, the ball check 45 is drawn firmly upon its seat and the slow leakage of air past the ball and piston causes the dash pot to move very slowly. Before the dash pot can move far enough to tip the mercury switch 33 and permit the liquid therein to ow and form an electrical connection,

the next succeeding dough piece has contacted the trip plate and again caused the dash pot to move downwardly over the piston and thus maintain the mercury switch in its tilted position to keep the circuit broken to the solenoid.

This condition will be maintained so long as dough pieces are fed into the machine in predetermined regularly spaced relation; but as soon V '9,142,878 i g yto which it appertains, without departing thespirit of my invention.

as this spacing is increased beyond a predeter-vf mimi lentth. the insalate, return @its initial pcsitionyand consei'luently; its con-f nectingparts, 'the mercury jwill `be tilted sumciently tocause the'mercury to make contact and energizefthe solenoid, thereby disengaging the clutch membersand storming the ilour duster.

-The speed" with which the dash pot moves upwardly over the piston is regulated by the adjustment ot the balancing weight It. When the balancing weight is moved outwardly towards the end c o! tilting arm 34, the dash pot will move upwardly over its piston much faster than when the weight is moved inwardly towards the pivotal point of the arm. 'Ihus the means for keeping the flour duster in operationmay be adjusted according to the distance between the dough pieces fed into the molding machine.

Referring now to Figures 3 andf4: I have shown an alternative form of my invention consisting o! a ilour duster la driven directly from a small motor 4t by means of a belt 4I andpulley 50. On the shaft il of the driven pulley It is an eccentric I! connected'by an eccentric rod I3 to the agitator arm M of the ilour duster 3ra so that when the motor is running, ilour is being showered upon the dough pieces and molding rolls. The power lines Il to the motor 48 pass through a limit switch II of any standard design having therein the usual make and break connections .51 and which are operated by a lever il on the outside o! the limit switch casing. This lever 58 is contacted by a switch operating arm 59 on a trip shaft "a projecting across the feed opening 46a of the molding head. Projecting angularly downward in the feed opening, is a trip plate 41h secured to a trip shaft a and which is contacted by the dough pieces as they are fed into the molding head in spaced relation. The movement o! the trip plate l'lb oscillates the trip shaft 45a and moves a switch operating arm 59 to rotate the A lever il and close the circuit from the power lines l! to the motor 48, thus putting in operation, the flour duster.

Secured to one end of the trip shaft 45a is an arm Il having a balancing weight 8| slidably mounted thereon. This weight may be adjusted to cause the trip plate to slowly return to its normal position across the feed opening in the molding head.

In operation, as the dough contacts the trip plate, it is moved downwardly and through its connecting parts, closes the limit switch. The motor is thereupon started and ilour .is dusted upon the dough pieces and the molding rolls 62. As soon as a dough piece has passed of! of the trip plate, it slowly returns to normal, breaking the circuit to the power lines; however, the motor is permitted to coast for a short period and flour is showered upon the dough pieces and molding rolls until the next dough piece strikes the trip plate. In this manner, the ilour duster is operating continuously so long as the dough pieces are fed in continuous spaced relation; but should the predetermined spacing -be increased by the absence of a dough piece, the motor will stop and no more ilour will be fed from th'e duster until another dough piece strikes the trip plate.

-While I have shown and described two speciilc forms of my invention, it is to be understood that my invention can be applied to various types of machines, and that the speciilc details shown are for illustrative purposes only, as many equivalents could be substituted by any one skilled in the art `Having 'ms described 'my Ai'nLvntio'n.f wnati 1fv In a machine finesse nescribedhavins mechanisms for forming a' loaf of dough as dough pieces are fed in predeterminedspaced relation through said forming mechanisms, a flour duster for showering ilourl upon said doughfpieces and upon said forming mechanism, means for Vagitating said duster, control means actuated by the dough pieces for setting vsaid agitating means in motion, and means for maintaining said agitat- 'ing means in operation for a predetermined period oi' time after a dough piece has passed said control means.

2. In a machine of the class described having mechanisms for forming a loaf of dough as dough pieces are fed in predetermined spaced relation through said forming mechanisms, a ilour duster for showering iiour upon said dough pieces and upon said forming mechanism, power means for operating said duster, controlmeans for said power means actuated by the passage of the dough pieces therethrough for connecting and disconnecting said duster and said power means. and means for maintaining said ilour duster in operation for a predetermined time after a dough piece has passed through said control mechanism.

3. In a dough molding machine comprising claimand desire vto secure.;y byfLetters Patent isz'` lov mechanisms for continuous operating upon dough pieces passing through said machine in predetermined spaced relation, a iiour duster adapted to duster, power means to operate said agitatlng means, a clutch mechanism adapted to engage and disengage said 'agitating means and said power means, a trip plate operated'by the dough pieces and adapted to operate said clutch mechanism, and retarding means to delay the disengagement of said clutch mechanisms for a predetermined period of time after a dough piece has passed said trip plate.

4. In a dough molding machine comprising mechanisms for continuously operating upon dough pieces passing through said machine in predetermined spaced relation, a flour duster adapted to shower ilour upon the dough pieces passing through said machine, agitating means for said iiour duster, power means to operate said agitating means, a clutch mechanism adapted to engage and disengage said agitating means and said power means, a trip plate operated by the dough pieces and adapted to operate said clutch mechanism, and retarding means associated with said trip plate adapted to delay the disengagement of said clutch mechanisms for a predetermined period of time after a dough piece has passed said trip plate.

5. In a'dough molding machine comprising mechanisms for continuous operating upon dough pieces passing through said machine in predetermined spaced relation,` a flour duster adapted to shower flour upon the dough pieces passing therethrough, a driving means for said flour duster, a

a clutchthe circuit to said motor, and means to retard ,the opening of said circuit i'or a predetermined period oi' time -atter a dough piece has passed said dough operated means.

.7. In a dough molding machine comprising ior continuously operating on dough `passing therethrough in predetermined relation, a motor driven iiour duster to shower flour on the dough pieces pass'- ing therethrough. a power circuit to said motor, a make and break switch in said power circuit,

:,xsasvs summteemm'sbymmnmsms nection between'said trip plate and said power sw'itchtoclosethecircuittosaidmoiioxz'andl means to retard the opening of-said circuit for a predetermined period o! time after a dough piece has passed through said machine.

8. In a dough molding machine comprisingv mechanisms for continuously operating on dough pieces passing in predetermined spaced. relation, a motor driven flour duster adapted go shower flour on the dough pieces-passing therethrough,

a power circuit to said motor. a make and break switch in said power circuit, means operated by .saidvdough pieces'to close the circuit to said motor, said means adapted to open said circuit after a dough piece has passed said operating means whereby the motor will continue to coast and operate said duster for a period of time after said dough piece has passed said operating means. 

